Avid Hockey Fan Becomes Basketball Expert by the Second Quarter of Raptors Playoff Game

TUNNEY’S PASTURE, OTTAWA – “Who cares about hockey when there’s no Canadian teams in the playoffs!” boasted Stats Canada employee Kevin Talbot during the half-time of the Raptors and Heat game 7 conference semi-final. “Basketball is such a great sport. I remember watching the highlights of their last game 7 in 2001 when Vince Carter missed the last shot against Philly.”

Armed only with the Ottawa Sun article he’d read earlier that day and the six minute NBA segment he’d heard on the Team 1200 Friday afternoon, Talbot graciously shared his newfound knowledge with the entire bar. “It’s the least I could do. I always enjoy sports when I know the backstories, the history and context, a lot of people don’t know all that much about basketball.”

His free basketball expertise was met with open arms amongst the regulars at The Wood on Wellington Sunday afternoon. “It was great having someone explain the finer details of the game. I’ve watched a lot of basketball at this bar but having ‘Tabby’ around really made the whole experience a lot better,” shared a local patron when asked about the ambitious new fan, “I too get frustrated when the new guy with the dread-locks misses threes and when the young guy with the headband isn’t playing up to his potential.”

“His insights on the impact of the injury to the big European guy and how Toronto’s two all-stars needed to bring their A-game if they want to make it to the Conference finals really complimented the in-game announcing of TSN’s Jack Armstrong and Matt Devlin. By the time the game was over I’d learnt so much about basketball, Tabby’s personal life, and even a little about tennis. I’m glad the Raptors won, I hope he’s around for the conference finals. I’d love to get more of his thoughts on King James and that Canadian kid who’s really good.”